Wales' misery is compounded by shock defeat to Samoa in Cardiff

Wales' miserable autumn campaign continued as they slumped to a shock 26-19 defeat to Samoa at the Millennium Stadium.

Six days after losing out to Argentina in Cardiff, the Grand Slam winners were once again outplayed on home turf as Fa'atoina Autagavaia, George Pisi and Johnny Leota ran in tries for the visitors.

Wales crossed the try-line through Ashley Beck and Leigh Halfpenny kicked 14 points, but the hosts could not stop the Pacific Islanders from pulling off the upset.

Wales were looking to build some confidence early on but made the worst possible start as Taiasina Tui'fua burst through the line, before the ball was worked wide for Autagavaia to cross with just over a minute gone.

Tusi Pisi added the extras but was off target with a ninth-minute penalty, allowing Halfpenny to reduce the deficit to four points with a successful kick.

The full-back slotted another penalty through the posts to close the gap further before Beck intercepted an ambitious pass from Pisi and streaked down the field for a 75-metre score.

Halfpenny's conversion made it 13-7 but Pisi slotted over a penalty on the stroke of half-time, with the hosts also losing fly-half Dan Biggar to a shoulder injury just prior to the interval.

Acrobatic

Samoa edged back in front at the start of the second half as scrum-half Kahn Fotuali'i made a break down the left before offloading to George Pisi, whose acrobatic finish in the corner was confirmed by the video referee.

Halfpenny and Tusi Pisi then traded penalties before the former slotted over his fourth three-pointer of the evening on 61 minutes to make it 19-18 to the home side.

But another penalty from Pisi gave Samoa the lead once again before Leota grounded a chip through from David Lemi to kill off the contest and stun the home crowd into silence late on.

Wales were once again second best at the breakdown, just as they had been against Argentina, with Samoa winning a string of key turnovers, particularly in the second half.

The scrum will also be a major area of concern ahead of next weekend's clash against world champions New Zealand. The Samoans dominated the set piece and won four penalties against the struggling Wales eight in the second half.